Ambulance honouring Brit killed on 7 October saved lives in Jerusalem
Vehicle donated for Nathanel Young rushed victims to safety after deadly bus stop shooting on Monday
The family of a former JFS pupil killed on 7 October were “deeply moved” to hear an emergency response vehicle bearing his name saved lives during a terrorist attack in Jerusalem this week.
Six people were killed when two gunmen opened fire at a bus stop in the Israeli capital at around 10am on Monday.
More than 20 were injured in the devastating assault on the 62 bus line, and many of them were treated by the roadside and later in hospitals in the surrounding area.
Magen David Adom (MDA) dispatched a large number of vehicles to the scene, including ambulances, mobile intensive care units and medicycle first responders. Among the fleet was a vehicle donated to MDA in memory of Nathanel Young, who was murdered by Hamas while serving with the IDF on 7 October 2023.
The vehicle was bought with funds raised by his friends from JFS, as well as the synagogues of Barnet and Cockfosters and N Southgate, where the family had previously been members. It was inaugurated at the British Embassy in Israel on 9 October last year.
This week’s attack took place at the Ramot Junction, one of the busiest in Jerusalem. According to the MDA, the injured included people in critical and moderate condition. Several others sustained lighter injuries from shattered glass.
Chantal and Nicky Young, who made aliyah six weeks after their son’s death, were contacted by MDA this week. They were told: “Although the circumstances were horrific, I hope it brings you some comfort to know that Nathanel’s legacy lives on and continues to save lives across Israel.”
Young’s mother, Chantal, told Jewish News they had been “deeply moved” and said: “What matters most to us is that lives were saved on Monday. The Magen David Adom Rapid Response Ambulance donated in Nathanel’s name, thanks to the generosity of the Cockfosters and North Southgate and Barnet communities and his friends from JFS, was there to help in the middle of such horror.
“To know that Nathanel’s legacy is still protecting people and the country he loved so much gives us comfort and pride.”
Rabbi Meir Shindler of Cockfosters & N Southgate Synagogue said: “When we hear that the ambulance donated by our community in Nathanel’s memory is being used to save lives, it is always bittersweet.
“On the one hand, we are filled with sadness that horrific attacks like these are still ongoing in Israel. On the other hand, we are comforted to know that an ambulance dedicated to the memory of a young man who put his life on the line to protect his brothers and sisters is regularly being used to save lives of people in Israel.”
The military wing of Hamas, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades, has claimed responsibility for the attack. In a statement it named the assailants as Muhammad Taha and Muthanna Amro. The pair was shot dead at the scene by an off-duty soldier and an armed civilian.
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